Printing-press.



R. T. JOHNSTON.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. 1v. 1913.

Patented sept.29,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

N www R. T. JOHNSTON.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov.17, 1913.

AUnrrED STATES rATENToFFrcE.

ROBERT T. OH'NSTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A SSIGNOR TO l'EI-IE GOSS PRINTING PRESS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,- ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PRINTING-PRESS.

vSpecication of Letters Patent. Pteted Sept. 29, 1914.' Application led November 17, 1913. Serial No. `801,467.

To all whom, 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ROBERT T. JOHNSTON,

a citizen ofthe United Statesyresiding at of which the following is` a 'specification,-

reference being had to .the accompanying drawings.

illy invention relates to printing presses, and has particularly to do with fiat bed web presses of the reciprocating cylinder the drawlngs and as hereinafter described.

and stationary bed type arranged to print on each stroke of the impression cylinder or cylinders. In presses of this type, for eX- alnple, a two cylinder press, as each impression cylinder during a part of each stroke presses the web down upon a stationary form, it is, of course, necessary that while printing is being done the web remains stationary, and as the feedihg in rollers feed web co-ntinuously to the press and the feeding out rollers draw the web out of the press and feed it to the folder continuously, suitable web' compensating mechanism .is provided to maintain the propervtension on the vweb between-the feeding in rollers and the first impression cylinder, and between the second impression cylinder and the feeding out rollers to prevent breakage'at those points. eb compensating mechanism for this purpose, in itself, 1s old and 1n common use. lIn presses of this character it is also necessary to provide inkmg rollers at each side of the impression cylinder or cylinders so as to properly ink the form or forms after each imprint is made, and in order that the inking rollers may pass com* pletely across the surface of the form, the stroke of the cylinder is enough greater than the length of the form so that the following inking `roller moves completely across the form on each stroke of the cylinder. In presses of this type as heretofore constructed, as soon as an imprint is made and before the cylinder reaches the. end of its stroke, the webagain begins to travel, being pulled through the press by the combined effort of the feeding out rollers and the cylinder compensating mechanism, so that it is drawn around the impression cylinder,l Slipping over the surface.' thereof.l The friction existing between. the web and the cylinder, therefore, increases the tension luponl the web to an objectionableextent,

.which'frequently results in breakage of the web, with ensuing trouble and delay.

The object of; my present invention is to avoid this objectionable slipping of the web over the impression cylinder or cylinders, and that end to provide a construction by which the surface ofthe impression Vcylinder or cylinders will always move With the web when the web is movlng, re ardless ofthe direction in which the cylin er as a whole is traveling.

-I accomplish this object as illustrated in plied to one of the cylinders of one-half of -a double-width flat bed perfecting press,-

Figure lis a side eleva-tion ofmy improved press, some parts being in longitudinal section; Fig. 2 is a partial plan view; Fig.,3 is a detail showing my improved cylinder compensating mechanism Fig. 4 is a detail illustrating the mechanism for driving said cylinder compensating mechanism.

Referring to the`drawings,.-6 indicates' vthe frame of thepress, which maybe of `any suitable form and construction.

7--8 indicate two stationary -iiat beds upon which the forms are placed',` one of said beds being above the other and sepa- -rated therefrom far enough so that the parts operating on the lower bed may bearranged between thenr. f Y -9--10 `indicate inking fountains at opposite ends of the lower bed, said fountains having the 'usual fountain rollers '1l-12, respectively; i v

13-14 indicate similar inkingfountains rollers 21.5.-16.` y

17 indicates a bracket,one of which'is lprovided at each side of the press, which brackets form supports forA lower and upper impression cylinders 18T-19, which extend across thev press above the beds 7-8, re-

spectively. The brackets 17 are preferably cross-shaped, their horizontal: portions having the usual ide blocks whichrun in-ways provided in t e frame of the press, so that thel cylinders r18'-19 may be moved back and forth over their respectivebeds. "The cylinders 18%-19 are reciprocated. longitudinally of. the`press` by means ofa pitman22 110- i associated with the upper bed 8, and having I ioo on each side of the machine, each of which is connected bya wrist pin 23, with a gear 24, mounted on a drive shaft 25, asA shown in Fig. 1. The gear 24 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in said figure. 26 indicates the web roll, and 27 'the web. The web 27 passes from the web roll over Suitable uide rolls 2829, feed roll 30, and 31, any desired number of which guide rolls may be used and which are arranged in such locations as to properly conduct theiweb.y From the guide rolls the web is looped around a web compensating -roll 32, carried by arms 33, of brackets 34, one of which is provided. ateach side of the press. These brackets are movable longi-` tudinally of the press toward and from the beds 7 8 byysuit-able cam mechanism which will be hereinafter described, said brackets having longitudinally extending blocks -36, whichpmove in suitable guide ways provided on` the .frame of the press. After passing around the web compensatin roll 32,'the web passes. around a guide rol 37, and thence over" ai uide roll 38 carried by the brackets 17; t ence down around the impressioncylinder 18; thence up over another guide roll'39,'carried lby thebrackets 17; thence'around guide rolls 40-41, carl ried by the frame of the press; thencearound a. guide roll 42, carried by the brackets `17 adjacent to the upper impression cylinder 19;thence down around the latter impression cylinder and 'up to another guide roll 43, carried by the brackets 17, ,after which it is looped around a webv compensating roll 44, carried by upwardly-projecting arms 45 of the brackets 34; thence around guide rolls 46-47, carried by the frame ofthe press; and thence to the feeding out. roller and cutting and foldino' mechanism.` It will ybe observed that byilooping the web aroundthe web compensating rolls 32 and 44, when the brackets 34 which carry saidy rolls move to the left, which occurs, duringfthe printing operatiomthe'length of the pathway of that portion of thevweb between the web roll 26 and the lower impression ycylinder will be lengthened so as to take up any slack that may existinthat'portion of the web. At the same time the length of the pathway ofv that portionnof the Yweb between the upper impression cylinder and the folding devices will be shortened, thereby giving up webvto thexfolding devices' so that the portions of thelweb .being printed may remain stationary. This operation is very much the same as in prior presses of this character, although the specific mechanism is different. e

The brackets 34 are reciprocated by means of a lever`48, pivoted at 49, upon a bracket 50, and having a roller 51 which moves in a cam groove 52, provided in a disk 53, which 1s mounted upon the shaft 25. Thelever 48 v tion.

is connected with one of the brackets 34 by -a connecting rod 54, as shown in Fig. 1.

The cam is so shaped as to properly time the movement of tha brackets 34 and regulate the length of their stroke, as hereinafter set forth. V,

The operation of the machine as thus far described will `be readily understood by those familiarP with the art. The web passing into the press in the manner described will be printed simultaneously on both surfaces, the two impression cylinders moving in the same direction. While the imprint is being made, those portions of the web on whichthe printing is being done are stationary so far as longitudinal movement is concerned; consequently it is necessary that at such times that portion of the web between the feeding in rollers and the lower impression cylinder be taken up suiiiciently to compensate for the normal travel .of that portion of the web during the printing operation. This is accomplished by the movement to the left of the web compensating roll 32, which increases the length of the pathway of that portion of the web sufficiently to make the necessary compensation.

-.In like manner, as the web continues to ing is being done, it is necessary that the folding mechanism be supplied with web not- 'withstanding the stoppage of the portion being printed, and this is accomplished by the movement to the left of the web compcnsating roll 44, which reduces the length of the pathway of that portion of the web suiciently to provide the`nec`essary compensa- After each printing operation the printed portions must be advanced quickly enough to compensate for their stoppage,

'compensating rolls 32 and 44 in the opposite directio I come now to the subject-matter with which this application has more particularly Such improved mechanism comprises the' :following instrumentalities: a. Cylinder rotating means adapted normally to rotate ico land this is done by movement of the web to do, to-wit, the mechanism for rotating thc lauf the cylinder if it is not traveling at a surface speed equal to the normal rate of travel of the web through the press, and in lthe same direction; and b. Cylinder compensating mechanism cooperating with the web compensating mechanism, for varying the rotative effect upon thel cylinder of said cylinder rotating means in such manner as to ycompensate for the travel of the cylinder back and forth over the web, and so mainl tain constant the actual surfacexmovement of the. cylinder with reference to the web at all stages of its operation. 4 A

In the embodiment of my invention lllustrated in the. drawings, the cylinder rotating means (a) above referred .to comprises' reciprocation of the cylinder, the changesl in the direction of rotation of the cylinder incident to its reciprocation, and the necessary variation in the speed ofthe web due to its stoppage during printing and its speeding up thereafter.

Referring now to the drawings for a more particular description of the illustrated embodiment of the mechanism just referred to,-56 indicates a sprocket wheel, secured at one end of the upper impression cylinder 19, preferably upon the shaft or axis of said cylinder. Said sprocket wheel is adapted to engage a link belt or chain 57, which is looped aroundl or mounted upon idlepulleys er wheels 58-59, which are mounted on l.studs 58e-9a' supported and arranged at opposite ends of the bed 8 and are connected together by a. rod 60, or other suitable connection, so that said pulleys are held a fixed distance apart and may be moved longitudinally of the press in unison, thus constituting a shiftable carrier for the belt 57. The manner in which these pulleys are mounted is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2.---

The rod 60 is connected at one end with the arm 35 of one of the bracketsf34, so that when said bracket moves longitudinally of the press it moves the pulleys 58-59 and the link belt 57 mounted onvthem correspondingly. The belt 57 is driven constantly at the normal speed of the web, by a sprocket wheel 61 which meshes with the lower portion of said belt and is arranged substantially in line with the longitudinal center of the upper bed 8, as shown in Fig. 1. Said sprocket Wheel is mounted on a shaft 62, which carriesa beveled gear 63, the latter'meshing with a beveled gear 64.

mounted on a shaft 6,5, which is driven from the .drive shaft 25 by means of gears 66-67, as best shown in Fig. 4. It Will thus be seen thatthe belt 57 is continuously and uniformly' driven while the press is in operation, moving in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3. For convenience, this movement of the belt will be termed its progressive movement. It will also` be apparent that the upper portion of said belt may be moved longitudinally in either direction without regard to the motion imparted to it by the driving sprocket wheel A(3],by moving its carrier longitudinally of the press, which movement is effected by the Vto the movement of its compensating devices, since the belt is looped around its pulleys in ymuch the same way that the Web is looped around the web compensating rolls le and 32, and it directly varies its driving effect upon the impression cylinder in such manner as to cause said cylinder to roll overthe web in the proper direction while printing, and at .other times, while the web is in motion, causes said cylinder to rotate with 'the web and at a surface speed which is always thesame asthe speed of the web, as will presently be described.

The inking of the forms is accomplished by inking rollers 68-69, arranged at opposite sides of each of the impression cylinders, and supported in any suitable way.

The inking rollers (38e-69 are of compo-` sition and are adapted to contact respectively with the rollers 15-16 `when the impression cylinders are reciprocated, so as to take up ink from them and apply'it to` the type. It will be apparentthat as the impression cylinders move across the forms to ihk it properly for the next imprint.

rlhis movement carries the impression cylinder beyond' the form .and releases that portion of the web which hasf just been printed so that it may again travel; the same operation takingplace at the end of each stroke of the cylinder.

Following the movement of the press from the positionshown in Fig. 1, the cylinders continue to moveacross the form to the left. The portion of the web around the cylinders is at rest and the web compensating roller 32,'takes up the web fed to it by the feedingin roller,and the web compensating roller 44 gives off the web that is being fed out p bythe feeding-out roller. As the form and movementof the chain and the normal speed of the feeding rollers are equal and the surjface speedof the ycylinders at this moment,

web are stationary, the upper portion of the ling movement of that portion of the chain l so - development of the cam is 'such as to give a in the oppositedirection the development of the camispreferably harmonious, so as to have the, easiest. possible .action on the web and cylinderturning mechanism. This con- 'fdition AVcontinufsf until the cylinders reach 'the left-handy edge of the form. VAt this sators ,reach ther extrememovement to the 'l for theprogressive movement of the chain the full .progressive movement of the chain .the normal speedy of the feeding rollers. It

'extreme left handposition and the return i theextreme left.hand position to the right chain also must be stationary, in order that the cylinder will have a perfect rolling action Without slippage as it moves across the form. The` progressive movement of the chainptherefore, must be nullitied and this is done byshifting the chain bodily with its carrier to the left at onehalf the speed of its progressive movement. -Byfollowing the movement of the chain at this moment, it will bel noted-that the driven side is travel-` ingin 'thel direction of the rotation of the driver and at one-half the progressive speed of thedriver. The remaining half of the progressive speed,ftherefore, drives the upper portionof the chain in the opposite' direction, which, of course, nullifies the shiftto the left. l y

ltvvshould .be pointed out here, that the uniform movementto the carrier and compensators to the left, soas to compensate and the normal movement of the web', While point the chain carrier and Web compenleft and as the chain and Web compensators come to rest at the moment of reversal, then becomes effective and the Web moves around the cylinders and through the machine at 'has been ,explained that the progressive must thereforallbe in unison With .the Web. Continuing-:the movement of the cylinders from thel left hand edge of the form to the to the form, thevveb compensators and chain carrier inthe meantlme have moved from hand position. The action of the web compensatorsat .this.,time is such as to draw' throughthe machine the Web-that Was held stationary during the printing` portion of the stroke,` which. in. addition to the normal feed of the Web through the machine during the time the cylindersare. off the form, advances theweb thefull length of the sheet being printed., At thesame time the shifting action of; the chain carrier is such as to move the driving side of the chain in the direction, opposite to the revolution of its driver, increasingf'the speed in this Way, as Weil as increasingthe bodilyr vforward shifting of upper portion of the chain,` the chain carrier again move to the left, stop-` ping the upper portion of the chain which drives the cylinder, and holding the portion of the web around the cylinders at rest While it is being printed.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the cylinder at all times when the web is in motion, rotates with the web in such manner that itsl surface speed eX- actly corresponds With-the speed of the web, and that when printing the cylinder rolls in the proper direction over'the form so as to make the imprint` properly. It is impossible for the speed ofthe cylinder to vary from that ofthe Web because the cylinder compensating mechanism which regulates the direction of rotation and speed of the cylinder is coupled up with the Web compensating mechanism and is controlled by the same cam.

Se far as I am aware, I am the first in the art to provide a flat bed web press with means for rotating the cylinder or cylinders With the Web at all times While the web is in motion. I also believe myself to be the first in the art to provide means for rotating the cylinder, in connection with cylinder compensating mechanism coacting therewith to regulate the direction and speed of the cylinder for the purpose specified; also to provide such cylinder compensating mechanism in association with web compensating mechanism. My invention is therefore generic in character and the claims hereinafter made are to be construed ac cordingl That which I claimlas my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

l. A printing press of the type described,

comprising means for advancing the web, anl impression cylinder, a stationary iform, and reciprocating means for rotating said cylinder Withthe web While the Web is advancing.

2. A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the web, an impression cylinder, a stationary form,

reciprocating means for rotating said cylinder With the Web While the Web is advancing, and means for rolling the cylinder over the Web during printing.

3. A printing press of the type described, i

comprising means for advancing the web, an impression cylinder, a stationary form, traveling means' for rotating said cylinder' with the Web While the web is advancing, and means for reciprocating said traveling means.

4;. A printing press of the type described` comprising means for advancing the web, an impression cylinder, a stationary form, means for reciprocating the cylinder, a traveling member operativelyA connected with said cylinder .to rotate the same, means for driving said'traveling member at a normal speed, andI means coperating with said cylinder reciprocating means for varyingl the rotative effectV of said traveling.

member upon the cylinder to cause the cylinder to roll over the web While the same is being printed.

5. A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the web, a cylinder, a stationar. form, means for reciprocating the cylin er means adapted to be operated to rotate the cylinder With the web While the web is advancing, land means coperatin with said cylinderreciprocating means or varying the Voperation of said c linder-rotating means to cause the: cylin er to roll over the Web during printing. v

6. A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the web, a stationary form, a cylinder, Web compensatin mechanism, and movable means for rotating the cylinder with the Web While vthe web is advancing.

7 A printing'press yo-f the type described, comprising means for advancing the Web, a stationary form, a cylinder, Web compensating mechanism, movable means adapted to be operated to rotate the cylinder with' the web While the web is advancing, and means for rolling the cylinder over the web during printing.

8. A printing press of the type described having a stationary form, means for advancing the Web, a c linder, means for reciprocating the cylin er over the form, Web

' compensating mechanism, and means coacting with said compensating mechanism for rotating the cylinder with the web While the Web is advancing.` Y

9. A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the web, a cylinder, a stationary form, web compensating mechanism, and means coacting With the web compensating mechanism for rotating the cylinder with the Web While the web is advancing. y

10. A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the web, a cylinder, a stationary form, web compensating mechanism, and. means associated With said compensating mechanism and acting to rotate the cylinder at a surface speed equal to therate of travel of the Web While the Web is advancing.

11. A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the web, a cylinder, web compensating mechanism, means associated With said compensating mechanism and acting to rotate the cylinder at a surface speed' equal to the rate of travel of the web while the web is advancing, and means for reciprocating said cylinder.

1:2. A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the web through. thefpress at a normal speed, a cylinder, driving means adapted to rotate said cylinder in unison with vthe normal speed of the web through the press, and cylinder compensating mechanism asso` ciated with said driving meansfor varying the rotative eect thereof on the `cylinder to maintain the surface speed of said cylinder uniform with the speed of'the web when the web is advancing. X

13.'A printing press ofthe type described, comprising means foradvancing the web through the press at a normal speed, va cylinder, driving. means adapted to rotate said cylinder in unison with' the normal speed of the web through the press, cylinder compensating Vmechanism associated with l.said driving means for'varying the rotative effect thereof 4'en the cylinder to maintain the surface speed of said cylinder uniform With the speed of the web when the web is advancing, and web compensating mechanism. I

14. A printing press of the tpe described, comprising means for advancin the web through the ress at a norma speed, a cylinder, drivlng means adapted to rotate said cylinder in unison with the normal speed of theweb, and cylinder compensating mechanism associated with said driving means and acting to shift the same to vary its rotative elfect on the cylinder and maintain the surface speed vof said cylinder uniform with `the speed of the web While the Web is advancing.

15. A printing press of the type de scribed, comprising means for advancing the Web through the press at a normal speed, a cylinder,.driving means adapted to rotatel said cylinder iii-'unison with the normal speed` of the Web, cylinder kcompensating mechanism associated with lsaid driving means and acting to shift the same to vary its rotative effect on the cylinder and maintain the surface speed of said cylinder uniform With the speed of the web while the web is advancing, and web compensating mechanism coperating With said cylin der compensating mechanism.v

16. A printing'- pressv of the type described, comprising means for advancin the web through the press at a norma speed, a reciprocating cylinder, driving means adapted to rotate said cylinder in unison with the normal speed of theweb, cylinder compensating mechanism asso-` ciated withv said driving means and acting to shift the same tol vary its rotative effect on the cylinder and maintain' the surface INS speed of said cylinder uniform with the speed of the Web While the web is advancing, and/Web compensating mechanism coperating fvvith said cylinder compensating mechanism;

17 A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing' the Webthrough the pressA at a normal speed, a reciprocatingl cylinder, a shittable carrier, driving meansloopedupon said carrier for` rotating saidk reciprocating cylinder, said driving means having a constant progressive movement equal to the normal speed of the Web through the press, and means for shifting said carrier to vary the rotative effect of said driving "means upon the cylinder so as to maintain the; speed of the cylinder uniform With the Web When the Web is advancing.

18. A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the web through the press at' a` normal speed, a reciprocating cylinder, a shiftable carrier, driving means looped upon said carrier for rotating said reciprocating cylinder, said driving means havin a constant progressive movement equal to t' e normal speed of the web through the press, and means for shifting said carrier to'vary the rotative effect s@ of said driving means upon the cylinder so as to maintain the speed of the cylinder uniform With the web When the web is advancing and to cause the cylinder to roll over the web during printing. j

19. A prin ting press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the Web through .the press at a normal speed, a reciprocating cylinder, web compensating mechanism, a shiftable carrier, driving et) means looped upon said carrier and having a constant progressive movement equal to the normal speed of the Web through the press, and means coperating with said web compensating mechanism for shifting said a5 carrier to vary the rotative eiiect of said driving means upon the cylinder so as to maintain the speed of the cylinder uniform with the Web when the web is advancing.

20. In a press of the type described, the

' 5o combination With a reciprocating impression cylinder and web compensating mechanism,

of an endless belt associated with said cylinder for rotating the same, a reciprocating carrier for said belt, means associated with said Web compensating mechanismf'for re ciprocating said carrier, and means for driving said belt.

21. In a press of the type described, the

combination with a reciprocating impression "'60 cylinder and web compensating mechanism,

of an endless belt associated with said cylinder for rotating the same, a reciprocating miami carrier for said belt, means associated with said Web compensating mechanism for reciprocating said carrier, and means independent of the reciprocation of said carrier for driving said belt constantly in the same direction.

22. In a press of the type described, the combination with means `for advancing the web through the press at a normal speed, a reciprocating impression cylinder and web compensating mechanism, of an endless belt associated With said cylinder for rotating thesame, a reciprocating carrier for said belt, means associated with said Web compensating mechanism for reciprocating said carrier, and means independent of the re ciprocation of said carrier for driving said belt constantly in the same direction at the same speed as the normal speed of the web through the press.

23. In a press of the type described, the combination with a reciprocating impression cylinder' and web compensating mechanism, of an endless belt associated With said cylinder for rotating the same, a reciprocating carrier for said belt7 means connecting said carrier With said web compensating mechanism, and means for driving said belt, said carrier being movable independently of said drivin means.

24. i printing press ofthe type described, comprising means for advancing the web, an impression cylinder, a stationary form, means for reciprocating the cylinder, a travcling member operatively connected with said cylinder to rotate the same, means for driving said traveling member at a normal speed, and means cooperating With said cylinder reciprocating means for varying the rotative effect of said traveling member upon the cylinder to cause the cylinder to roll over the web While the same is being printed and to rotate with the Web When the web is in motion.

25. A printing press of the type described, comprising means for advancing the web, an impression cylinder, a stationary form, means for reciprocating the cylinder, a traveling member operatively connected with said cylinder to rotate the same, means cooperating With said cylinder reciprocating means for driving said traveling member at a normal speed,l and means for reciprocating said traveling member to vary the rotative eiect thereof upon the cylinder so as to cause the cylinder to roll over the Web While the same is beingprinted and to rotate with the Web when the Web is in motion.

` ROBERT T. JOHNSTON. Witnesses:

JOHN L. JACKSON, WILLIAM A. FURNNER.

. c y i i Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

